Missouri State finds ample volleyball talent close to home

7:29 AM,
Sep. 4, 2013

Ozark's Caroline Clifford celebrates a point in Thursday's game against Glendale. The junior has committed to play for Missouri State, which has several local players. Bruce E. Stidham/For the News-Leader

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You can catch a glimpse of the future of Missouri State University volleyball team this fall in high school gyms across the Ozarks.

MSU coach Melissa Stokes already has six local players on her roster - or one-third of her team. Those numbers will increase in the coming years, as three local seniors are headed to Springfield, and already two more are committed from the junior class.

"I love the competitive atmosphere they have there, and I love the coaches and I love the players," said Central's Mary Maerz, a senior MSU commit. "It's a great group of people to be around." ...